Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the tress and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 1:43 am

Jaryd

Joined: 14 Jul 2002
Posts: 222

BAH!

don't tell me what to do

Mon Oct 28, 2002 2:21 am

DM

Joined: 05 Jul 2002
Posts: 6371
Location: www.NERDTORIOUS.com

Re: Desiderata written by Max Ehrmann

Dude, if you think it was "telling you to do someh=thing" you missed the whole point. Please tell me you were joking. I liked it.

I was glad to have read something optimistic for a change.

Abacus

Mon Oct 28, 2002 3:35 am

hippo

Joined: 10 Aug 2002
Posts: 2495
Location: South Bay

sigh....

Mon Oct 28, 2002 4:21 am

mr self distrukt

Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 1249
Location: a crew called self

Re: Desiderata written by Max Ehrmann

Sage Francis wrote: If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

you know i never really thought of this. but it's very true. i've always held deep contempt for vain and smug people, so i have never really set foot in that arena. but in comparison, the bitterness definitely applies... it's stunting some relationships i have now... which leads into the cynicism about love.

trust is a mothafucka...

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:11 am

Ryan

Joined: 27 Sep 2002
Posts: 739
Location: Presque Isle, Maine

o so that's how you put it into words..

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:40 am

Jaryd

Joined: 14 Jul 2002
Posts: 222

.

i dont compare myself to others
that is why i am better than you
i win
yay

Mon Oct 28, 2002 1:35 pm

futuristxen

Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 19377
Location: Tighten Your Bible Belt

I like contributions to the board such as this.
Who is this guy who wrote that? I'll take some time later and look him up, but I'm sorta curious.

Is this something new to you Sage? Because I've read some posts of yours when your in your more philosophical mode and this seems comparable to things you've been saying for awhile--so I'm just wondering if you came across this guy recently and it just happened to say what you've been saying, or if it happened the other way around.

I like it, because it shows a way to live in the world without being an asshole, but at the same time has some bite to it.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 2:16 pm

futuristxen

Joined: 01 Jul 2002
Posts: 19377
Location: Tighten Your Bible Belt

something also by Max Ehrman that I found looking up the first thing(interestingly I guess that poem was originally uncredited and on a poster or something?--that's what I heard anyhow--and that it was originally written in 1927)

Whatever Else You Do

Whatever else you do or forbear,
impose upon yourself the task of happiness;
and now and then abandon yourself
to the joy of laughter.

And however much you condemn
the evil in the world, remember that the
world is not all evil; that somewhere
children are at play, as you yourself in
the old days; that women still find joy
in the stalwart hearts of men;

And that men, treading with restless feet
their many paths, may yet find refuge
from the storms of the world in the cheerful house of love.

~ Max Ehrmann

Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:43 pm

Sage FrancisSelf Fighteous

Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21671

someone from Australia sent me this piece and I enjoyed it a lot. I thought y'all would too.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 8:44 pm

darianluv

Joined: 08 Oct 2002
Posts: 350

Ya, thanks that was interesting, I always like reading about people who feel the same way I do about things.

All the shit can make you appreciate the better stuff, death makes you appreciate life.
Being alone makes you appreciate having someone.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:07 pm

dorkasaurus

Joined: 09 Jul 2002
Posts: 537
Location: trench b

ditto hiphopapatamus: sigh

but, what if it hasn't bloomed yet? when are you allowed to be cynical?

i shall reveal no more.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:30 pm

Sage FrancisSelf Fighteous

Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21671

what's all the sighing about?

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:31 pm

dorkasaurus

Joined: 09 Jul 2002
Posts: 537
Location: trench b

it conveys a sense of being at peace n stuff (very articulate). i think someone compared the passage to a breath of fresh air. i dunno, you breathe it in and sigh because it has a calming soothing effect. no? oui.

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:37 pm

Sage FrancisSelf Fighteous

Joined: 30 Jun 2002
Posts: 21671

a death of flesh ear

Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:42 pm

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